Frank Sabatelli

Frank John Sabatelli, born on a warm spring day, September 29, 1947, and sadly passed Monday, January 13, 2025.

He is survived by his wife Eileen and sons Frank and Brian residing in Ringwood. Frank and his wife Heather have three daughters: Olivia, Victoria, and Mia. Brian and his wife Jaclyn have a daughter Gabriella and son Brayden. Frank’s surviving brother Richard is married to wife Alena and other brother Ron and wife Christine. Frank is also survived by Mother Freida.  Also survived by his brother in-law John and Geralyn Korin with their two sons John Zachary and Joseph. He was named by his granddaughter Pa-Ba and the name has stuck all of these years…

Frank was born in NY city and was raised in Wood-Ridge, NJ by his parents Freida and Frank, along with his brothers Richard and Ron. He grew up across the street from Eileen, the love of his life. They met at an early age and grew up dating across the street! Frank went to Bergen Catholic High School and excelled in class as well as the baseball field where he was a star pitcher. His love for Baseball, academics and his future wife were all themes throughout his childhood and into High School. He went onto his undergrad work at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he studied Biology. He went to Seton Hall College to gain his Master’s degree. He ultimately started his amazing career at Schering-Plough as a Microbiologist. His career there spanned over 30 years where he became a Master Microbiology Scientist working on some of the biggest projects of the company’s success and helping to produce some of the medications and products that have become household names to us all.

He started dating Eileen at age 16, dated throughout high school and college and were married in the summer of ’69. We all think that the song was written just for them! Frank and Eileen have been married for 55 wonderful years!

Frank served in the Army National Guard from 1970-76 and was proud to not only serve his country but meet some of his best friends as well.

His life changed forever in the 70’s with the birth of his two sons and moving to beautiful Ringwood, NJ. He continued his love for baseball by coaching both of his sons through their childhood and into High School. He also developed a love for playing softball and was instrumental in running, coaching, playing, and pitching in multiple softball leagues in Ringwood, Ramsey, and Mahwah.  Some of the family’s fondest memories are from Frank playing softball with his two adult sons in Ringwood’s men’s softball league. He enjoyed playing ball well into his 60’s and brought so many good friends together.  

Some of Pa-Ba’s other loves were his time in Lake George NY where the family vacationed, boated, skied, camped and enjoyed many years of family, friends, cousins and breathtaking views. These family vacations went on for over 40 years and have been a part of the family culture that continues today.  We all met and vacationed with families that forever will be in our fondest memories. A typical day would include him pulling everyone skiing in Huddle Bay and loving every minute of it. LG misses his boat appropriately named “Makin’ Tracks”.

Frank’s retirement from Schering-Plough ended his science chapter and he began another career with PSE&G. His work there brought him outside and was met with many more friends and some new softball experiences where he enjoyed some very exciting leagues.

We would be remised if we didn’t speak of Pa-Ba’s love for everything Trains. Having grown up a bike ride away from some of the most exciting Erie railroad train hubs, the family came to accept his love and enjoy our local trips to chase engines and snag that ‘perfect picture’ of a passing engine. Erie K5, the license plate of his Ford Raptor is a tribute to an Erie steam engine that only a true enthusiast would appreciate. Train whistles and model trains have been a staple in the Sabatelli family forever.

Pa-Ba and G-ma have been the center of our family and have touched so many that we are thankful for every year of the 55 that we have been able to share with them. Pa-Ba will forever be in our memories, our hearts and our conversations. We love you Pa-Ba, you are missed so much.